Fruit Stripe, the long-standing gum brand recognized for its fruit-flavored varieties and zebra-patterned packaging has officially been discontinued.

A spokesperson for Ferrara, the owner of Fruit Stripe, stated on Wednesday, “The decision to discontinue this product was not taken lightly… We considered many factors… including consumer preferences, and purchasing patterns – and overall brand trends for Fruit Strip Gum.”

The renowned gum, available since the 1960s, featured five flavors: Wet n’ Wild Melon, Cherry, Lemon, Orange, and Peach. Each pack included a temporary tattoo of Yipes the Zebra, the famed mascot.

Ferrara, known for producing other popular candy brands like Trolli, Fun Dip, Pixy Stix, and Nerds, acknowledged that discontinuing Fruit Stripe was a “challenging decision.”

Enthusiasts of this classic gum brand may still be able to locate it in certain retailers across the country until it sells out for the last time.

The United States is witnessing a transformation in the way office spaces are utilized. Moody’s Analytics marked the highest office vacancy rates since 1979, a change which can be attributed to the monumental shift in work dynamics following the Covid-19 pandemic.  Today’s employees are embracing a new era of hybrid work, blending the best of both worlds from the comfort of their homes.

The report highlights a cultural shift that not only revolutionized the traditional 9-5 office routine but also brought attention to the surplus of office spaces constructed in the 1980s and 1990s. Despite this surplus, the national office vacancy rate skyrocketed to a groundbreaking 19.6% in the fourth quarter of 2023, surpassing records set in the last 40 years.

Amidst the challenges faced by landlords and developers, there is some reason for optimism. The market has shown continued interest in Class A buildings, the latest and most modern structures in prime locations with abundant amenities. These buildings offer flexible configurations that appeal to tenants seeking a physical office presence for branding, purposeful gatherings, training, and collaboration.

While new constructions have slowed to levels not seen since 2012, suburban offices are emerging as a beacon of resilience. Their proximity to communities and, in some cases, shorter commute times for employees, positions them favorably in the evolving landscape. Despite the changes, the office space market remains dynamic, adapting to the needs of a workforce navigating a new era of work-life balance.

Have you ever wished you had an extra pair of hands?

As the automotive and courier service industries have widely adopted self-driving technology, the trend continues to spread to other business areas. Recently, a Canadian-based startup called GlüxKind released the first smart stroller.

The self-driving stroller, dubbed “Ella,” has the potential to change the childcaring experience. Parents or caretakers whose hands are normally tied up when pushing a stroller are now relieved of this burden. Ella drives itself when the child is not inside.

According to Anne Hunger, CPO and co-founder of GlüxKind, the innovative stroller is meant to serve as “an extra pair of eyes and an extra set of hands.” She explains that while the child is inside, one hand is required on the handlebar for safety purposes. But, when a crying baby needs to be held, an independent toddler wants to walk, or the two simply want to explore the world together, the parent has use of two hands.

In order to successfully navigate itself, Ella is equipped with sensors and cameras which take into account the surroundings and sidewalks. A dual-motor system allows for uphill treks and there is an automatic brake assist for downhill navigation.

In this YouTube video, consumers can see how the stroller works in action. A parent is pushing a stroller downhill and suddenly lets go to fetch a toy that his toddler dropped. The stroller stops on its own. Another scene depicts a child who wants to be carried, and the stroller then steering itself.

Ella was one of the Innovation Awards Honoree at the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. It is available for pre-order in North America, with deliveries planned to begin in April. The stroller is set to retail at about $5,000.